ChatGPT trying to rip me off!!

No, I wouldn't think that advertisement was written by AI. It is detailed and devoid of pointless words (y)

One question though; why such an odd price?
 
Bristolian said:
No, I wouldn't think that advertisement was written by AI. It is detailed and devoid of pointless words (y)

One question though; why such an odd price?
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Ebay 'buyer protection' added to sellers price.
 
@Hanley might be worth a few minutes to setup a custom GPT for this?

Like others have said, it's just a tool. Personally, I'm getting great results and saving hours and hours.
 
TimHughes said:
Like others have said, it's just a tool. Personally, I'm getting great results and saving hours and hours.
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It works to a degree as long as you can supervise the output.

It's imperfect and sometimes very wrong. I think he problem is that people can't always figure that it is imperfect - or they don't want to believe that it it is imperfect.

At work I'm the old idiot (as usual) because I'm continually warning my younger colleagues not to depend on it. They don't want to hear this. They think it improves their productivity and adds value. The problem is that I don't actually see this in project completion and the bottom line of costs and milestone payments - which to me are tangible - whereas they see what it does and think that it's improving project completion and progress.
 
Dryce said:
It works to a degree as long as you can supervise the output.

It's imperfect and sometimes very wrong. I think he problem is that people can't always figure that it is imperfect - or they don't want to believe that it it is imperfect.

At work I'm the old idiot (as usual) because I'm continually warning my younger colleagues not to depend on it. They don't want to hear this. They think it improves their productivity and adds value. The problem is that I don't actually see this in project completion and the bottom line of costs and milestone payments - which to me are tangible - whereas they see what it does and think that it's improving project completion and progress.
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I agree if "depend on it" means to use the results without any critical review. It's just a tool. The person using the tool is still responsible for the results.
 
Can AI explain to me why that lens is worth so much?? 100-300 2.8, great ! But I'm missing something here, right?
 
Cagey75 said:
Can AI explain to me why that lens is worth so much?? 100-300 2.8, great ! But I'm missing something here, right?
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You don't understand why Canon's flagship 400mm f/2.8L EF lens, used by most professionals around the world is worth that much?

I have both, I own the 400mm 2.8L III and the RF 100-300mm 2.8L, they're both amazing lenses.

I put your question to ChatGPT:


The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM is expensive for a few very good reasons — and once you break them down, the price suddenly feels a bit less outrageous (but still eye-watering!).

Here’s why it costs so much:

1. It’s an f/2.8 super-telephoto — that alone makes it elite​

A 400mm lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture is incredibly difficult to engineer.
You need:
  • Massive front elements
  • Extremely high-precision glass shaping
  • Special coatings and exotic materials to control aberrations
Very few lenses can deliver that combination of long reach and huge light-gathering ability, which is why it’s the go-to lens for professional sports and wildlife photographers.



2. Uses exotic glass and advanced materials​

The Mark III redesign introduced:
  • Super UD and fluorite elements (expensive to manufacture)
  • Magnesium alloy barrel
  • Titanium and high-grade composites to shed weight
  • Advanced IS unit with 5-stop stabilisation
Canon literally used aerospace-level materials to make the lens both lighter and optically superior.



3. Precision hand-built manufacturing​

This is not a mass-produced kit lens.

Each copy is:
  • Hand-assembled
  • Individually calibrated
  • Built in Canon’s top-tier factories by specialists
These lenses are made in tiny volumes, so economies of scale don’t apply.



4. Professional-grade optics built for abuse​

The target buyers:
  • Sports photographers
  • Wildlife pros
  • Agencies
They need a lens that:
  • Delivers flawless sharpness wide open
  • Works perfectly in all weather
  • Survives years of knocks, rain, dust, airports and sidelines
That durability and QC massively increase production cost.


5. It’s part of a prestige category​

The “Canon big whites” are the flagship lenses of the entire EOS system.
Like a Formula 1 car, they:
  • Showcase Canon’s best engineering
  • Act as halo products
  • Are priced for professionals who need the performance and will amortise the cost over years of work


6. R&D and small production volumes​

The Mark III was a complete optical and mechanical redesign.
R&D for lenses like this:
  • Takes many years
  • Requires advanced prototype testing
  • Serves a relatively tiny market
Low sales volume + high research cost = high retail price.


7. It’s still considered the gold standard​

Even now, many sports shooters say the EF 400mm f/2.8L III is the:
  • Sharpest
  • Fastest-focusing
  • Best-balanced
  • Best-performing
400mm f/2.8 lens ever made.

That reputation keeps the price elevated — and also explains why used prices stay strong.


In short:​

It’s expensive because it’s basically a hand-built, aerospace-grade, ultra-precision optical instrument — not just a camera lens.
 
Hanley said:
You don't understand why Canon's flagship 400mm f/2.8L EF lens, used by most professionals around the world is worth that much?
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I mean, I would expect it to be pricey but that's a hell of a lot! Maybe I'm just poor so it seems gargantuan :ROFLMAO:
 
Cagey75 said:
I mean, I would expect it to be pricey but that's a hell of a lot! Maybe I'm just poor so it seems gargantuan :ROFLMAO:
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You're not wrong, it is a lot of money, and I was convinced I was going to have buyers remorse when I bought it, but then the first time I used it and saw the quality of the images, I knew it was worth it :)

Same with the 100-300 2.8 to be honest, different lens but it's insanely good. Like the 70-200 2.8 on steroids :ROFLMAO:
 
Cagey75 said:
Can AI explain to me why that lens is worth so much?? 100-300 2.8, great ! But I'm missing something here, right?
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I've just realised you were talking about the 100-300 2.8 and not the 400 :ROFLMAO:
Sorry, I mis-read your comment.

So I asked ChatGPT the same question....why is the RF 100-300 2.8 so expensive:


The Canon RF 100–300mm f/2.8L IS USM is expensive for all the same reasons big fast telephotos are — but with an extra twist: it’s basically a 300mm f/2.8 prime and a 70–200 f/2.8 rolled into one, something no camera company had ever successfully built at this level before.

Here’s why it commands that £10k+ price tag:


1. It’s a world-first optical design​

A constant f/2.8 aperture across 100–300mm is insanely difficult to engineer.
This lens replaces what used to require two bodies and two lenses:
  • 70–200 f/2.8
  • 300mm f/2.8
Canon essentially built a zoom that performs like primes — and you’re paying for that R&D and engineering miracle.


2. Optically it’s closer to a prime lens than a zoom​

It contains:
  • 23 elements in 18 groups
  • Multiple fluorite elements
  • UD and Super UD glass
  • Canon’s latest ASC and Super Spectra coatings
These elements are very expensive materials, and they must be assembled and aligned with extreme precision.
The result? Sharpness, contrast and AF speed that rival the 300mm f/2.8L IS.


3. It’s built to match the RF super-telephoto lineup​

Canon engineered it to the same standard as the Big Whites:
  • Weather sealing
  • Magnesium alloy chassis
  • High-durability barrel with thermal coatings
  • Dual Nano USM motors with high-torque drive
This is pro-level, agency-grade construction — not consumer gear.


4. It’s shockingly light for what it is​

At 2.59 kg, it’s MUCH lighter than expected for a 100–300 f/2.8.
To achieve this, Canon used:
  • Aerospace-grade magnesium
  • High-strength polycarbonate composites
  • Fluorite elements (lighter than traditional glass)
Lightweight + fast aperture + huge zoom range = very expensive to manufacture.


5. Works perfectly with teleconverters​

With the RF extenders it becomes:
  • 140–420mm f/4
  • 200–600mm f/5.6
Canon had to design the rear optical group with insane tolerance so sharpness and AF performance don’t degrade with extenders.
That adds complexity — and cost.



6. Small market = high price​

This lens is aimed at:
  • Elite sports photographers
  • Wildlife pros
  • Agencies
  • Major event shooters (Olympics, football, motorsport)
Canon knows the audience is tiny but will pay for the capability because the lens earns them money.
Low production volume + high R&D and materials cost = premium pricing.


7. It’s a “halo” lens​

Just like the EF 400 f/2.8, this sits at the very top of the RF ecosystem.
Canon uses it to showcase what the mount can do, and halo products:
  • Have flagship pricing
  • Maintain high margins
  • Set the standard for the system’s capabilities
This is Canon flexing.


In short​

The RF 100–300mm f/2.8 is expensive because it’s a technological unicorn:

The reach of a 300mm f/2.8
The versatility of a zoom
Prime-like optical performance
Exceptional weight for its class
Pro-grade build and autofocus

Canon created something no one else has — and priced it accordingly.
 
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